Safety match book



Oct. 18 1938. w. cqTHoMAs n SAFETY'MATCH BooK Filed April 2, 193s 4`Prisma-i ocr. 1s, 193s- William .0. Thomas, Fries, Va.

Appneaupnnpru z, 193s, serial No. 199,715

' i 1 claims. `(c1. zoe-2a) This invention relates to packaged safety matches designed for pocket useJ and pertains particularly to an improved safety match book.

As is, of course, well known, it frequently happens that with the use of safety matches put up in the form of a fiat packageor bookI particu larly painful accidents occur when the user of. the match book strikes a match on the striking surface provided at the base of the match group, without first closing the protecting` flap which is provided to cover the heads of the group of matches remaining in the book. Various means have previously been devised for preventing such accidents but none has been satisfactory in view l5 of the fact that in all cases it is possible to strike the match While the heads of the matches remaining in the book are exposed,f if the user of the match book is disinclined to use the book as it is supposed to be used.

'Ihe present invention has for its primary object to provide a safety match book wherein the striking surface provided for igniting a match is covered so long as the protecting flap'of the book is open so that it is necessary for the user of the book, in order to expose the striking surface, to first close the flap over the matches remaining in the book.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a safety math book of the above described character which is of relatively simple construction and which maybe easily stamped out with forming dies and have the parts of the book secured together in working relationby the use of only three of the ordinary wire staples which'are used for securing together articlesof this character.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a safety match book of the above described character wherein the matches may be provided in the usual two row group to be secured at the base of the group in the usual manner between a back and edge flap of a cardboard holder which is formed in the usual manner to have one end folded over the heads ofthe matches and engage behind the base ap so as to close the book.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detaileddescrip- A tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention 'is net to be confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed 5g in the appended claims.

vure 1.

In the drawing: t Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the device embodying the present invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the match packet with the match cover flap opened.

Figure 3 is a section similar to Figure 2 showing the fiap closed. y

Figure 4 is a view of the blank from which the cover isy formed.

Figure 5 is a view of the slide strip per se, with the elastic attached.

Figure 6 is a section on the lineG-B of Fig- Referring now more particularly to the, drawing, the numeral I generally designates the cardboard strip which ils employed to-provde the carrierfor the group of matches,'here indicated generally by the numeral 2, and shown as comprisingthe usual two .rows of lcardboard matches which are disposed one in front of the other to be secured together at `their bases, in the manner tion 4 and thefront portion ror cover flapy 5 bee i tween which two portionsthe matchgroup is housed. Y i l In carrying out the present invention, 'a portion of the free end-of the body I is turned back to form the bottom flap -6 whichv is relatively wide and which has the transverse window opening 'i formed therethrough. This window opening is formedso as to leave a relatively wide'portion betweenit vand the free vend edge yof the flap, as indicated at 8, which, portion constitutes a cover means for the match scratch or abrasive surface hereinafter described.

The bottom ends of the matches. of the match group are disposed in the assembled book to .lie between the panel-like end portion 8 of the flap 6 and the back 4 with the bottom edge ofthe match group substantially in the line of the top edge of the window opening i and there are disposed across both side faces of the match group III, there is folded across the lower edge of the match group 2, one end of a sliding strip II. This said end of the sliding strip II is made slightly wider than the remaining portion of the strip, as indicated at I2, and is provided upon one face with the abrasive material I3 which mustl be employed in association with safety matchs in order to eil'ect their ignition and the abrasive carrying part I2 of the sliding strip II positions between the front spacer strips 9 and in the area betwe'en the lower part of the match group 2 and the panel 8. 'I'his area is indicated by the numeral I4. The other part of the strip II lies at the back of the match group in the area between the 'group and the back wall 4 of the book and between the back spacer strips 9 and extends upwardly behind the match group as shown. Secured to the back 4 in spaced relation with the free end oi the sliding strip I I 'is a means for attaching a resilient band I5 to the back 4 of the book, which band is secured in any suitable manner to the adjacent end oi the sliding strip II as, for example, by engaging it in notches I6 formed in'the edges of the strip II and the securing means here shown` for the band I5 comprises a small square I1 of cardboard or other suitable material which is secured to the back 4 of the book by a wire securing staple I8. It will, of course, be readily apparent that anyl other suitable means may be employed for attaching the elastic band Il to the back oi' the book and also for connecting the band with the adjacent Aend of the sliding'strip II, therefore, while this particular securing means, together with the other parts described, is considered to be novel, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be'restricted to the specific means illustrated and described for connecting these Parts together.

'I'he free end oi' the iiap portion l oi' the book is formed to provide a tongue I l which Yis of the proper width to be inserted between the upturned end portion I2 of the sliding strip and the bottom of the match group 2 so that the bookiiap I will be frictionally retained in coverlng'relation with the group of matches. v

In the use oi the present device, after one of the matches has been removed in the usual manner, the flap 5 is turned down and the tongue I9 is inserted between the match group and the abrasive carrying iiap portion I2 of the sliding strip II. Itwill be seen, however, that the said abrasive carrying portion of the sliding strip will be hidden behind the protective panel l as the elastic band .Il will constantly exert an upward 111111 upon the strip andasthedower endsofthe strip is folded over the lower-edge of the match group, the abrasive carrying portion I2 will be pulled up until its further movement is stopped by the secured match group. In order that the abrasive I3 mavbeexposedforusatheuserof thebooklnust exert longitudinal pressure against thetlaplsothatthetongue IIwillbeforced downwardlyagainst the folded lowerpart ofthe sliding strip II and this will effectth'e longitudinal movement of the sliding Strip against the -A of the resilient band II and will shifttheailaslvecsrrying portion Ilintopositionwhereitwillbeexposedthroughthewindow opening'l. Themtdxmaythenbedrawnacross theahrdveandknitedandlassoonasthenid l plume against the ap l is releasedJheldlmtbandllwillre-cttolmllthe hindi-hellend..

.shield panel.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that unless the en'tire match book is torn apart, it is impossible for the user to strike a match while the cover iiap. of the book is raised and the heads of the remaining matches are exposed. 'In other words, the user is compelled to replace the -ap into .the usual shielding or covering position before he can obtain the abrasive material in a position for striking the match and thus the user will be protected against accident in spite of any inclination to use the match book carelessly. I claim:-

1. A match 'package comprising, a group of matches adapted to be separated for individual tached to the match group at the base of the same, a shield panel for said abrasive panel, resilient means normally maintaining the abrasive-panel behind the shield panel, a carrier for thematch group. and a shield ap forming a part of the carrier and adapted when in shielding relation with the match group to eilect the shifting of the abrasive panel relative to the 2. A match package comprising a match group in which the matches are 'adapted to be separated for individual'use, a carrying body to which the 15 use. an abrasive striking panel shiftably .at-

match group is secured, means forming a covering for. the secured end of the match group and having a window opening, an abrasive carrying panel slidable between said last means and the match group for exposure through said window opening and normally shielded by a portion of said last means. resilient means normally urging said sliding panel into shielded position, anda cover ilap connected with the carried body and adapted to overlie the match group, and means forming apart of the cover iiap for effecting the shifting of said panel into the window opening.

3. A match book, comprising a group of joined matches adapted to be separated 'for individual use, a carrying envelope for said group ccmprising a 'foldable strip of material having the portion of one end folded back upon itself to form a seeming flap between which flap and the adiacent portion oi' the strip the bottom of said match group is secured, a portion forming -a cover flap the free end of which is adapted to frictionally engage between the securing flap and the match group, said securing iiap having a window opening therein and a panel portion between the opening and its adjacent end edge of the securing flap, an abrasive carrying body slidablypodtioned between said panel and the match "group and adapted when""shifted,inl one direction to be exposed through said opening,

resilient means normally retaining said body behind said panel, and said cover iiap having its free edge adapted for use inshiftlng said body into position for exposure through said opening.

4.Asafetymatchbook,comprising agroup oi' matches secured together at one end and adapted to be separated for individual use, a carries for said group comprisingan elongated strip ofmaterial lmving aportionofoneend foldedbacktoprovideasecm'ingtlapbeneath whichthesaidendotthematchgroupissecnred. aporiimoi'thestlipattheotherendconstituting a cover nap to be folded over the match grounmklsecuringflaphaving awindow ope ing formed therein and having a portion .providingacovuimpaneLanelongated strip oi'maslidably positioned between the match terisl Sromandthestripofmateiialtowhichitis ing panel slidablydisposed between said base secured, said sliding strip having an end turned up across the end edge of the match group to provide a portion which is covered by said panel, an abrasive striking material on the said turned portion of the sliding strip and adapted for ex.

posure through said opening when the strip is shftedin one direction, resilient means normally urging the movement of said sliding strip to a position where the abrasive material is covered by said panel, said resilient means connecting the sliding strip with the rst mentioned strip, and a tongue forming .a lpart of said cover ap and insertable between the panel and the match group and adapted to effect the shifting of the sliding strip for the exposure of the abrasive material through said opening.

5. A match package, comprising a group of matches separable for individual use, an abrasive striking panel disposed across the match group adjacent the base thereof and slidable in a plane parallel therewith, shield means secured to the match group behind which the panel may be positioned, and a cover for the match group having a free edge insertible between the shield means and said base when in covering relation with the matches for engagement with the said panel to shift the panel from behind kthe shield.

6. A match package, comprising a group of matches joined together by a base portion from which they may be individually separated, means secured to said base portion forming an enclosed area therebeneath and including a shield panel spaced from the base portion, an abrasive vstrikand said shield panel for 'movement downward into said area, the striking panel when moved into said area being exposed for use, a. cover flap for the matches connected with said means and having a free edge insertible between the base and shield panel, and means engageable by said cover panel edge when in match covering position whereby movement of said edge in one direction will effect the uncovering of said striking panel.

'1. A match package, comprising -a group of matches joined together by a base portion from which they may be individually separated, means secured to said base portion forming an enclosed area therebeneath and including a shield panel spaced from the base portion, an abrasive striking panel slidably disposed between said base and said shield panel for movement downward into said area, the striking panel when moved into said, area being exposed for use, a cover flap for the matches connected with said means and having a free edge insertible between the base and shield panel, means engageable by said cover panel edge when in match covering position whereby movement of said edge in one direction will eiect the uncovering of `said striking panel, resilient means' normally urging said striking panel to move between the shield panel and said base, and said flap edge engaging means limiting the movement of the striking panel under the urge of said resilient Imeans throughl contact with said match base; y

. WILLIAM C. THOMAS. 

